Integrated Tank Services

Profiling - desludging - cleaning - inspection

Storage tanks
COMPLETE PACKAGE
Whether the storage capacity of your tank
has reduced due to accumulated sludge
or you require an accurate estimate of
your remaining tank bottom lifetime,
A.Hak Industrial Services has the solution
to seamlessly match your needs. From
profiling and desludging to cleaning and
inspections, our Tank Services offer you
a full range of worry-free services. Our
state-of-the-art methods, techniques and
experienced specialists mean we provide
one of the best and most cost-effective
solutions for your tanks challenges.

Multiple services, singular solutions

for the Oil, Gas & Petrochemical Industry
 CUSTOM-MADE SOLUTIONS
Every tank is different and calls for a custom-made
solution. From sludge profiling and desludging to
cleaning and inspection, A.Hak Industrial Services offers
a complete package of services that you can combine or
use individually. Our experts will discuss with you the best
solution for your tank issue while keeping your tank online
as long as possible. Regardless of the type of product
whether it is crude oil, refined oil or water your tank is in
good hands.
Apart from cleaning, all our services are carried out while
your tank remains in service. Our accurate 3D sludge
profiling can reveal the amount and distribution of the
sludge, and samples can reveal its composition. With our
desludging service we can recover up to 95% of trapped
hydrocarbons. Our inspection robots give you a clear
picture of the actual corrosion taking place. By replicating
the inspection, we can monitor ongoing corrosion in the
tank bottom for a better understanding of the lifecycle of
your tank.

SAFETY FIRST The ARCC System enables rapid and precise cleaning
Profiling A.Hak Industrial Services offers you the safest solutions thanks to the use of HD cameras. This allows us to look
for your storage tanks. All our services are non-man entry directly into the tank and guide the cleaning process, which
to ensure safe operations, and we minimize the number saves time. Combining our services is even more time-
of people required on the tank roof. We use closed- efficient and cost-effective.
Desludging loop systems, environmentally friendly products and HD
cameras and conduct permanent gas monitoring. Our
equipment is either ATEX and/or I.S. certified or we are
developing new solutions to maximize the safety level of
our services.

Cleaning
COST-EFFECTIVE
Sludge and debris reduce your storage capacity.

One solution! Inspection

Accumulated sludge can cause damage when landing
the tank roof, and taking your tank out of service costs
you valuable operating time. With hydrocarbons trapped
in the sludge you miss out on valuable commodities.
Our integrated services provide you with the solution,
optimizing your tanks performance and saving you time
and money.
Online Tank Sludge Profiler
Online tank sludge profiling provides a clear picture of the REPORTING
quantity and distribution of the sludge. While your tank remains After processing the raw data we provide you with a clear report
in operation, we gather information to design the best possible with the sludge distribution represented in a 3-D contour map.
cleaning program for your installation and calculate the amount We calculate the sludge volume for the entire tank in cubic
of hydrocarbons we can recover. meters or cubic feet and present information on the actual pile
height.
A.Hak Industrial Services Online Tank Sludge Profiler uses an Acoustic Sludge Profiler
acoustic sensor, capable of scanning tank contents with the NO DOWNTIME - 100% coverage of tank bottom
depending on entry points*
greatest precision. With the data gathered we calculate sludge Our sludge survey is performed while the tank stays in service - over 95% accuracy
volume and generate three-dimensional views of the sludge so you will experience no or minimal disruption to your tank * the amount of entry points depend on the
tank diameter
distribution. Our survey system measures the tank sludge operations. For optimal profiling the roof should be raised to the
volume with an accuracy of up to 95%. Based on information maximum height with the mixers turned off. Operation 1
describing the sludge properties and distribution, we can E7
E1

E2

determine the best strategy to desludge and inspect your BENEFITS OF PROFILING: E6 E5

E5

tank while it stays online. Accurate tank profiling allows you to
decide whether or not to invest further in desludging, cleaning,
inspection or maintenance activities.
ATEX
A.Hak Industrial Services profiler is ATEX-certified which makes
it suitable for all types of product. The profiler is inserted into the
product through the roof support entry-point or manhole entry
without the need for the tank to be emptied. Only a small team
of our experts is required, minimizing the number of people on
the tank roof. By using our advanced software the survey usually
takes only just a day, which makes it fast and cost-efficient.
- It quantifies sludge volume prior to cleaning.
- It creates an accurate 3D sludge map to ensure safe roof
landing and manhole removal.
- It reduces unforeseen delays during maintenance.
- It offers verification of the desludging operations success.
- It allows for better asset management over the plants lifetime.
- It enables accurate sludge accumulation monitoring.
Rotator Data Processing 2
In addition we can offer you information about the composition
of the sludge using our sludge sampler.

The profiling
equipment is fully
Atex certified Acoustic Sensor, submerged Data Analyses/Final Reporting 3

Online monitoring of acquired Sonar head

data during the profiling job
The final report includes a 3-D
colored contour map of the sludge
distribution present in the tank and
the sludge volume in cubic meters
or cubic feet.
Online Tank Desludging
By using A.Hak Industrial Services online desludging system circulates the product by applying high kinetic energy to break
you can recover valuable hydrocarbons in a safe and cost- up paraffin and asphalt agglomerates. After the desludging Preparations 1
efficient way without losing valuable operating time. The process the manifolds can stay in place for future desludging or
system is ideal for tanks with large sludge volumes blocking the be removed when the tank is opened for maintenance.
manholes or posing a risk of damage to the floating roof while
landing it. VALUABLE HYDROCARBONS
With the optional injection of a small amount of biodegradable
YOUR TANK ALWAYS IN SERVICE demulsifier during the circulation process, the separation of
Sludge settled on the tank bottom is a combination of hydrocarbons from water and sediments can be stimulated. Tank Entry Point Manifold Assembly Cold Tap Canon Insertion Total Assembly

hydrocarbons, water and sediments such as scale and sand.
Desludging breaks up the sedimentation and separates out
the hydrocarbons, water and solids. This enables hydrocarbon
recovery and increases your storage capacity. By using A.Hak
Industrial Services online desludging system you can recover
up to 95% of the hydrocarbons trapped in the sludge while your
installation remains in service, so you dont lose any valuable
operation time.
SAFE
Conventional sludge removal involves health and safety risks for
the crew performing the cleaning operations.
A.Hak Industrial Services online desludging process is a non-
man entry operation that doesnt require activities on the roof.
During the process the tank remains filled with the product, with
the floating roof in a high position.
EFFICIENT
The data retrieved from A.Hak Industrial Services online tank
sludge profiler tells us the amount and topography of the sludge
in your tank. With this information we can make the desludging
process more targeted, increasing efficiency as much as
possible.
By mounting a manifold on the tank side manholes and using a
cold tap, we create an opening in the blind flange of the existing
manhole. We then introduce a steerable jet cannon, which
The drained separated water can be syphoned off for further
processing or pumped directly into a wastewater system. The
valuable hydrocarbons, which are unaffected by the demulsifier,
can be collected and re-used. After desludging only a small
amount of sediment consisting of sands and scale will remain in
During circulation a biodegradable
the tank, which can be removed when a complete tank cleaning demulsifier can be injected to
operation is next performed. separate hydrocarbons from water
and sediment
ENVIRONMENT
The A.Hak Industrial Services system delivers the best possible
Circulation 2
results and is environmental friendly, thanks to the closed
loop system and the use of fully biodegradable products. This
protects the operators and reduces contaminated waste.
1 2 09 0
Benefits of desludging:
- It can recover up to 95% of valuable hydrocarbons.
- It ensures safe roof landing even with a large sludge build-up.
- It allows tanks to stay online. * the amount of entry points depend on the tank diameter
- It prevents loss of valuable operational time.
- It offers all the benefits of non-man entry.
- Its environmental friendly.
- Its efficient and cost-effective.
Jet canons can swivel to circulate The water can be pumped into
the tank content another process or to a wastewater
system. The recovered oil, which is
unchanged by the demulsifier, is
ready for use!

Jet Canon Head Oil-Water-Sediments seperation 3

Atex Certified Circulation Pump

300 m 3 p/hr at 13 bar

A steerable jet cannon recirculates

the product by applying high kinetic
energy to break up paraffin and
asphalt agglomerates.
ARCC system (ATEX Remote Controlled Cleaning)
OPTIMAL REMOTE CLEANING REMOTE AND SAFE
A.Hak Industrial Services innovative ARCC System eliminates Each ARCC System includes two cleaning cannons, each
the need for manual storage tank cleaning processes which containing a HD video camera equipped with lighting. The
Fixed or floating roof tank
could be hazardous to the health of staff members involved. cannon is mounted on a shell or roof manhole. The system
ARCC an acronym of ATEX Remote Controlled Cleaning is a can be swiveled 225 degrees both horizontally and vertically,
Optional for large diameter tanks:
self-contained system in which the pump, the generator and an and ATEX certification makes the system suitable for all types nozzle operation from tank roof
operating and control room are all fitted into a single container. of product. The system comprises an onboard gas monitoring
The ATEX certification and built-in gas monitoring detection system to ensure safe operation while cleaning the tank.
unit makes the system suitable for working in explosive Combined with our biodegradable Hak SafeGuard emulsifier,
Roof lowered, maintenance position
environments. This allows the system to clean every type of the system allows for a protocol that helps to obtain low LEL
storage tank containing all kinds of products, from heavy crude values quickly and easily.
oil to benzene. HD cameras with recording functionalities allow
us to visually control the entire cleaning process. The system is remote controlled from a container which holds the
225
pump room, engine room, hydraulic room (storage room for the
ARCC - STATE OF THE ART STORAGE TANK CLEANING spray cannons and hose reel during transportation) and a control 22
5
Whether your tank contains mineral oil, heavy fuel oil or and operating room. The engine supplies power for the high
chemicals, A.Hak Industrial Services has the right cleaning pressure pump and the hydraulics to operate the cannons. A small
Buffer tank
solution for your needs. Our externally controlled tank cleaning built-in generator supplies back-up power for the control room. Twinpot filter
system is a highly valuable alternative to the previously common
practice of manual cleaning, a method with high safety risks that The complete cleaning process is controlled and performed from Lobben pump
puts a major physical and mental strain on staff. This non-man the control room inside the container, which minimizes safety
entry system still offers precise cleaning due to the HD cameras, hazards. The recordings of the cleaning process made inside the
which allow you to look inside the tank while cleaning and tank by the HD camera are at your disposal. Wa
st
save your organization both time and resources. In traditional Sol e wat
ids er
automated cleaning processes, the sludge levels needs to be UNIQUE FEATURES
monitored again after each of the cleaning cycles to evaluate - Suitable for all types of products
the cleaning progress, but the ARCC Systems live video control - Integrated gas monitoring system Recovered oil
Pump
optimizes the cleaning process, increasing efficiency and - System is automated and remote-controlled
minimizing delays. - Cleaning process visually monitored
- HD cameras with lighting and recording
THE ARCC-SYSTEM: - Large cleaning angle (0 to 225 both horizontally and vertically) Pump room
Remote controlled nozzle
- is non-man entry. - Roof and shell-mountable
- minimizes safety hazards. - Low operating costs
SA
- is ATEX certified. FE
- significantly reduces cleaning times. PERFORMANCE DATA AR
EA
- minimizes usage of water to reduce waste water and - Pump rate: 55m/h
treatment costs. - Operating pressure: max. 40 bar
- is suitable for all types of hydrocarbon and chemical products. - Products: All types of suitable products (such as crude oil,
diesel, kerosene, chemicals, water etc.)
- Maximum fluid temperature: 70 Celsius
- For fixed or floating roof tanks with a diameter of up to 80
meters
Including
gas monitoring system
and
full-HD camera.
Online Robotic Tank Inspection
Due to local regulation issues, tanks usually need to be taken GREAT ACCURACY
out of service for a fixed time period for inspection, without A.Hak Industrial Services patented acoustic navigation system Quick Look
knowing in advance if this is actually necessary. Our OTIS equipped with two navigation pingers on the robot and six
The quicklook system allows
Robotic Tank Bottom Inspection Series provides inspection navigation transducers on the tank shell is used to pinpoint you to inspect the internal
mechanical roof construction
according to the API 653 standards, which allows you to avoid the robots location. Using onboard UT transducers, the robot
and observes the robot
this fixed time interval. The autonomous tank bottom inspection follows a predetermined digital inspection grid and collects up to progress where possible OTIS System results
device uses UT sensors to detect any variation in thickness of a million ultrasonic scans of the tank bottom in order to perform
A-Scans, x, y Coordinates
the bottom plate while your tank remains in service. computerized data analysis. When operating in clear fluids, we B-Scans, x, y Coordinates
can equip the robot with a HD camera. The navigation allows us Floor Elevation, x, y Coordinates
Sludge Removal (optional)
API 653 CERTIFIED to reproduce our inspections in the future to determine corrosion
Robot umbillical
The A.Hak Industrial Services InTANK approach to tank rates with great accuracy.
OTIS Inspection
inspection is a well-recognized and trusted method throughout
the industry today. Tank owners can significantly reduce the Our robots can maneuver in tanks containing sludge of up to half
costs of performing API 653 inspections by not having to a meter (20 inches) in depth. We can also equip our robot with
remove their tanks from service, and by being able to plan cleaning systems using spray nozzles and brushes. This way it
out-of-service periods. simultaneously cleans and inspects the tank bottom, enhancing
safety and reducing costs. Cleaning times may vary depending
The A.Hak Industrial Services InTANK robotic system is efficient on sludge levels.
and cost-effective while it:
- eliminates the high cost of tank downtime. SAFE AND COST-EFFECTIVE
- does away with the need for temporary storage. Inspections involving a human presence increase safety and
- saves you the cost of cleaning. environmental risks, and traditional tank bottom inspection Data Analyses/Final Reporting
- minimizes waste disposal costs. technologies require tanks to be offline during inspection. They Your tank remains in operation
during the inspection, so there is OTIS
- cuts inspection time to days instead of weeks. must be drained, cleaned, degassed and ventilated all of which no downtime! submerged
- avoids disruptions in plant operations, keeping revenue incur significant costs for owners. By using the OTIS robot, the
constant. tank bottom inspection takes significantly less time, and is safer
- reduces environmental risks such as spills and VOC release. and more cost-effective.
- improves safety by eliminating confined space entry and GND

personnel exposure to hazardous chemicals. BENEFITS OF TANK INSPECTION ROBOTS:

- No downtime and no product waste
Our high quality robotic equipment ensures constant, controlled - API certified inspection
and proven conditions for tank bottom inspections. Robotic - Accurate data to determine corrosion growth
equipment is safer than manual inspection, and is unaffected by - Non-man entry Optional: vacuum unit can be mounted
Navigation Transducers (up to 6)
to remove low sludge volumes
working conditions. Its advanced, computer-based ultrasonic - Cost-effective
technique makes data collection more accurate.

OTIS TYPES

Different types of robots are available.

Each designed according to specific
specifications enabeling them to cope
with different demands.
SA
FE

Control room
A
R
EA
A.Hak Industrial Services was asked to undertake a tank
cleaning job at a refinery in Spain using the ARCC System. The
tank in question was a floating roof tank with a diameter of
22 meters, used for the storage of benzene.

SCOPE OF WORK
A.Hak Industrial Services role was to clean the benzene tank
and lower the benzene level to 0.5 PPM and the LEL value to
0.0%. The tank had not been opened for over 20 years and
inspection and general maintenance was scheduled to be
executed afterwards. Before the cleaning process the tank was
emptied and purged with nitrogen.

EXECUTION
After the insertion of the two cannons via the side manholes of
the tank, a preliminary video inspection was performed. Some
rubber flaps were noticed on the tank bottom, which had broken
off of the roof seal, and a layer of sludge and scaling covered the
tank floor. Although we estimated we would require two cleaning
batches of A.Hak SafeGuard to remove the hydrocarbons from
the tank, we only required one in the end, which meant we could
pass on savings to the client. After that two batches of clean
water were used to flush the tank and remove the final debris.
The whole process took just three days, including two night
shifts (without rig-up/rig-down). In total, 95m3 of water and 330
liters of A.Hak SafeGuard were used.

THE ROOF SEAL

Prior to the final cleaning the benzene levels measured in the
tank indicated values from 0.0 PPM to 0.7 PPM and the LEL
level was 0%. The manual cleaning involved cleaning the inside
of the roof legs and the roof seal, which can only be reached
while present in the tank. After the final cleaning the LEL/
benzene measurements were repeated, indicating slightly higher
values of around 3 PPM near the tank shell.

The cause of this was the 20-year-old rubber of the seal,

which was cracked and had been penetrated by benzene.
This continued evaporating, causing increased benzene
measurements. By simply cutting out the rubber seal, which took
less than an hour, the benzene measurements dropped to
0.0 PPM again.

A.Hak Industrial Services B.V.

Steenoven 2-6 T +31 (0)345 57 92 11
4196 HG Tricht F +31 (0)345 57 93 79
P.O. Box 151 inspection@a-hak-is.com
4190 CD Geldermalsen www.a-hak-is.com
The Netherlands A.Hak Industrial Services. All rights reserved. SB-ITS-E.1-1.0-09.03.15